Course Introduction

MODULE 1 – CONCEPT AND FUNDAMENTALS OF DNA

DNA fingerprinting is a laboratory technique to establish the identity of an individual and to create a link between the biological evidence and a suspect during criminal investigations. This module covers the concept of DNA, its historical perspective, the role it plays during criminal investigation, the structure of DNA and its packaging within cells, experiments of DNA and RNA confirming their status as genetic materials, including bacterial transformation and identifying the transforming principle, the Hershey and Chase experiment, the Meselson-Stahl experiment, and the use of DNA as an evidentiary tool.

MODULE 2 – TYPES OF DNA AND RNA

In this module, you will learn about the diverse facets of nucleic acids, which include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), a molecule that carries genetic or hereditary information, and RNA (ribonucleic acid), a molecule that controls protein synthesis. The module begins with the knowledge of types of DNA (B-DNA, A-DNA, and Z-DNA), the structure of RNA, and types of RNA, including messenger RNA (m-RNA), transfer RNA (t-RNA), and ribosomal RNA (r-RNA).

MODULE 3 – HUMAN GENETICS

This module covers the historical evolution of human genetics and the concept of genes, including gene structure and history, split genes, pseudo-genes, non-coding genes, overlapping genes, and multigene families. The module then explores the concept of Mendelian inheritance, the complexities of multiple alleles, the structure of the human genome and its vast diversity, and the fundamental role of mutations in heredity, focusing on their causes, types, and detection methods. You will also learn about human genetic variation, the molecular basis of heritable diseases, gene mapping, and the Human Genome Project.

MODULE 4 – EXTRACTION AND EVOLUTION OF DNA

In this module, you will learn about DNA and the sources of DNA crucial in forensic investigations, including blood, semen, saliva, bones and teeth, hair, body tissues, nails, and vaginal secretions. The module also covers several DNA extraction methods, like organic (phenol-chloroform), non-organic (proteinase K and salting out), Chelex (ion exchange resin), FTA paper, silica-based (silica exchange resin-Qiagen), and Qia Amp extraction.

The role of restriction enzymes is discussed, followed by qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques, including the slot-blot method (quantitative), yield-gel analysis (qualitative), and UV/visible spectrophotometer. You will gain insights about gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting, PCR analysis (for enhancing DNA quality), and essential precautions in these procedures.

MODULE 5 – DNA FINGERPRINTING

This module covers the concept of DNA fingerprinting, starting with an introduction followed by an insightful historical overview. The concept of polymorphism is highlighted, including both sequence polymorphism and length polymorphism, and various detection techniques are also explored, including HLA typing, RFLP analysis, PCR amplification, gender identification, AMP FLP, RAPD, Y-STR, and mitochondrial DNA analysis. The module concludes with insights about advanced DNA fingerprinting techniques for DNA analysis and the utilization of DNA chips.

MODULE 6 – EVALUATION OF RESULT CONTAMINATION OF DNA FINGERPRINTING

This module covers a thorough exploration of DNA profile frequency calculation and interpretation and the process of determining allele frequencies. The module further discusses specific aspects of match probability, including CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), quality control measures, and the significance of certification and accreditation in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of DNA profiles within forensic contexts.

MODULE 1 - CONCEPT AND FUNDAMENTALS OF DNA

DNA fingerprinting is a laboratory technique to establish the identity of an individual and to create a link between the biological evidence and a suspect during criminal investigations. This module covers the concept of DNA, its historical perspective, the role it plays during criminal investigation, the structure of DNA and its packaging within cells, experiments of DNA and RNA confirming their status as genetic materials, including bacterial transformation and identifying the transforming principle, the Hershey and Chase experiment, the Meselson-Stahl experiment, and the use of DNA as an evidentiary tool.

MODULE 2 - TYPES OF DNA AND RNA

In this module, you will learn about the diverse facets of nucleic acids, which include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), a molecule that carries genetic or hereditary information, and RNA (ribonucleic acid), a molecule that controls protein synthesis. The module begins with the knowledge of types of DNA (B-DNA, A-DNA, and Z-DNA), the structure of RNA, and types of RNA, including messenger RNA (m-RNA), transfer RNA (t-RNA), and ribosomal RNA (r-RNA).

MODULE 3 - HUMAN GENETICS

This module covers the historical evolution of human genetics and the concept of genes, including gene structure and history, split genes, pseudo-genes, non-coding genes, overlapping genes, and multigene families. The module then explores the concept of Mendelian inheritance, the complexities of multiple alleles, the structure of the human genome and its vast diversity, and the fundamental role of mutations in heredity, focusing on their causes, types, and detection methods. You will also learn about human genetic variation, the molecular basis of heritable diseases, gene mapping, and the Human Genome Project.

MODULE 4 - POPULATION GENETICS

This module introduces you to population genetics (the study of genetic variation within and among populations and the factors that lead to these variations), starting with the introduction and historical evolution of the field. It then dives into the Mendelian population, where the forces of genetic drift and the inbreeding coefficient play crucial roles in shaping genetic landscapes, the Hardy-Weinberg Principle (consistency in genetic variation in population from one generation to the next), and the examination of genetic load (the divergence in fitness levels between the average genotype in a population and a chosen reference genotype, which can be either the most superior genotype present in the population or an idealized, theoretically optimal genotype).

MODULE 5 - EXTRACTION AND EVOLUTION OF DNA

In this module, you will learn about DNA and the sources of DNA crucial in forensic investigations, including blood, semen, saliva, bones and teeth, hair, body tissues, nails, and vaginal secretions. The module also covers several DNA extraction methods, like organic (phenol-chloroform), non-organic (proteinase K and salting out), Chelex (ion exchange resin), FTA paper, silica-based (silica exchange resin-Qiagen), and Qia Amp extraction.

The role of restriction enzymes is discussed, followed by qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques, including the slot-blot method (quantitative), yield-gel analysis (qualitative), and UV/visible spectrophotometer. You will gain insights about gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting, PCR analysis (for enhancing DNA quality), and essential precautions in these procedures.

MODULE 6 - DNA FINGERPRINTING

This module covers the concept of DNA fingerprinting, starting with an introduction followed by an insightful historical overview. The concept of polymorphism is highlighted, including both sequence polymorphism and length polymorphism, and various detection techniques are also explored, including HLA typing, RFLP analysis, PCR amplification, gender identification, AMP FLP, RAPD, Y-STR, and mitochondrial DNA analysis. The module concludes with insights about advanced DNA fingerprinting techniques for DNA analysis and the utilization of DNA chips.

MODULE 7 - EVALUATION OF RESULT CONTAMINATION OF DNA FINGERPRINTING

This module covers a thorough exploration of DNA profile frequency calculation and interpretation and the process of determining allele frequencies. The module further discusses specific aspects of match probability, including CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), quality control measures, and the significance of certification and accreditation in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of DNA profiles within forensic contexts.

MODULE 8 - IMPORTANCE AND LEGAL PERSPECTIVES OF DNA FINGERPRINTING

In this module, you will learn about the legal perspectives related to DNA fingerprinting within a forensic context and the applications of DNA fingerprinting, ranging from resolving disputed paternity cases, child swapping incidents, and establishing missing persons' identities to its roles in civil immigration, veterinary sciences, wildlife conservation, and agricultural cases.

The module also covers procedural and ethical concerns, providing insights into the status and development of DNA profiling, the admissibility of DNA profiling as evidence, and the limitations of DNA fingerprinting methodologies.

Yes, you have the option to make a direct payment to the bank account of SIFS India;, all you have to do is write an email at education@sifs.in requesting the bank details. 

Academic Qualification Documents, Professional Qualification Certificates, and National ID Proof or Passport Copy are required at the time of enrollment.  

Kindly send your necessary documents with proof of payment to admission@sifs.in.

An Admission Confirmation email will be sent with your portal credentials once the proof of payment and application form with all the necessary documents are received at admission@sifs.in.

To login, visit the portal at the given link: https://www.sifs.in/student and enter your login credentials, i.e., your username and password shared via email. 

After logging into the portal, you will have access to reading material, reference eBooks, and e-research papers.

Yes, all your assignments, projects, case studies and practice tests will be assigned to you through your portal as per the level you will be enrolled in.

You can easily access our online course on mobile / tablet devices. We highly recommend that you use your desktop or laptop and a reliable internet connection for a better view.

Yes, there will be an online exam after completing the course.

Yes, upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate and marksheet, which can be a valuable addition to your resume and may enhance your career prospects in the field.

Write to us at admission@sifs.in, call: +91-1147074263, or WhatsApp: +91-7303913002.